The two-week event started on Saturday, April 2 until Saturday, April 9, featured an array of activities which included a cultural parade, a small and medium businesses’ (SMME) exhibition, fun fair, comedy night, golf day and concluded with an open air concert. The concert featured renowned artists such as Makhadzi, King Monada, Master KG, Mr Bow, DJ Fresh, Dj Complexion, PHB Finest, Motlanalo, Selaelo Selota, Ami Faku and many more. The Queen of Limpopo, Makhadzi, stole the show and gave a world-class performance with her new single ‘pain ya jelazi’.

Thebe was the surprise artist of the night and fireworks were set alight as he came onto the stage, thrilling the crowd with his classics. Other dignitaries who were spotted at the event included Limpopo Economic Development and Tourism (LEDET) MEC, Thabo Mokone and Ba-phalaborwa Municipality mayor, Merriam Malatji. According to the Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) acting CEO, Moses Ngobeni, the event brought in an excess of R50 million into the local economy.

Also read: PHALABORWA: Carnival atmosphere at Marula Festival

“The pandemic has affected the local tourism industry in a big way; last year we did not have this event so businesses missed out on a chance to trade. “Accommodation around town was fully booked and visitors had to book as far as Hoedspruit, Tzaneen and other areas. General trade in the past two weeks has also been boosted,” he said.

Ngobeni denounced claims that the festival was more about “making a noise” than to empower the local economy. “Residents need to look at the positives, the local economy has been boosted by the event. “Businesses have benefitted, people buy fuel, food, book accommodation and even clothing. “A lot of people had to buy warm clothes, as the weather changed,” Ngobeni concluded.